Mixed blessings for Melbourne's water storages Friday May 1, 2009 - 11:12 EST
Melbourne's water storages only received about half their normal streamflow in April, despite above average rainfall over the catchments.
Rainfall over the catchments was 13 per cent above average last month, but reservoirs received around 40 per cent less than their normal flow.
Melbourne Water says storages dropped by 23 billion litres in April, ending the month just under 28 per cent full.
Melbourne Water's John Woodland says the disparity between rainfall and streamflows highlights the dry state of the water catchments.
"Due to the long-lasting effects of an extremely hot and dry summer, the soil in our catchments has not had the chance to become wet enough to generate the amount of streamflows needed to boost storages,"[/i] he said.
That sounds TERRIBLE, Deb. (I won't ask.)
